Skip to main content

If You Are Having Memory Problems, It’s Time to See Your Doctor


If you or a loved one is experiencing troubling memory problems, it is important to see your healthcare provider. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s or several other dementia-related diseases, there are steps you can take to mitigate or delay the onset of the disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association explains, “Physicians and other medical professionals are a central part of the care team of a person living with dementia. Along with other members — which may include family, friends or others — they work to provide support throughout the course of the disease.” Therefore, one of the best ways to ensure optimal care is to honestly communicate with your physician.

To establish a good relationship with the doctor, a person or family member should take some time to prepare for the visit. Helpful tips from the Alzheimer’s Association include:

  • Document any changes in your health, including your mood, memory and behaviors.
  • Make a note of any changes you’ve noticed since your last appointment.
  • Create a list of current prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.
  • Write down any vitamins or supplements you’ve added to your medication regimen.
  • Make a list of questions you want to ask.

Writing down questions you have beforehand makes sure you don’t forget them, and don’t be reluctant to ask questions if you don’t understand something. The Alzheimer’s Association National Early-Stage Advisory Group, made up of men and women in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, put together a list of questions to help others make the most out of a doctor’s visit. Questions range from asking about the type of tests used to make a diagnosis, what to expect from the disease, and what type of treatments may be used. When seeing a specialist, ask how familiar they are in caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

At MorningStar at River Oaks, we offer 85 assisted living suites and 27 suites for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases in our distinct Reflections Neighborhood. Our holistic memory care is individualized for each resident and designed to stimulate or calm in response to a particular mood or situation. Each day is filled with activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, or animals to heal and comfort residents. Visit our website for more information about trusted senior living in Houston.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Houston has to offer.

Source: alz.org/media/documents/alzheimers-dementia-communicating-doctor-health-care-pro-ts.pdf

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Be an Active Partner in Your Medical Care

Experts suggest that a good way to reduce medical errors regarding your care or that of a loved one is to be an active partner in the process whether in a hospital setting, doctors’ office or the pharmacy. In fact, a study showed 7% of hospitalized patients experienced an event that was considered preventable which negatively affected their health. Furthermore, harmful errors in primary and outpatient health care settings are typically related to diagnoses, prescriptions and use of medicines. Mistakes associated with misdiagnosis result in delayed treatment for the real problem and having the wrong medications prescribed or supplied can cause serious complications. However, it is important to keep in mind that some medical errors are a result of patients failing to disclose all the medications they take including prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Another problem is the failure to reveal pertinent details regarding a person’s prior medical history as well as lifestyle habits s...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hosting a Senior-Friendly Book Swap Event

For book lovers, there’s nothing better than finding new stories to dive into and sharing favorite reads with friends. Hosting a book swap event is a fun, budget-friendly way for seniors to exchange books, explore new genres, and connect over a shared love of reading. Choose a Cozy, Accessible Space The first step in planning a book swap is choosing a comfortable, accessible space. A common room or a cozy corner in senior living Kirkland is ideal. Arrange seating in a circle or create small areas where people can gather, sit, and chat. Add a table or shelf for displaying the books, so everyone can browse easily. Decorating with a few simple touches—like tablecloths, flowers, or even book-themed decorations—adds warmth and excitement. A welcoming atmosphere encourages everyone to relax, explore, and enjoy the event. Invite Participants to Bring a Book (or Two) The beauty of a book swap is that everyone contributes! Ask each participant to bring one or two gently-used books they’re read...
Post a Comment
Read more

Research Shows Humans May have the Potential for a Longer Lifespan

The Medical News Today recently reported on an interesting study published in the journal, Demographic Research, and conducted by the University of Washington, which indicated a likely rise in human longevity by the end of this century. Worldwide we have seen a rise over the last several years of a half a million people, referred to as centenarians , living past the age of 100 years old. Today the new focus is on those living past 110 years old who are referred to as “supercentenarians.” Up to now the oldest known person in the world was a French woman with a recorded age of 122 years old when she died in 1997.  The University of Washington longevity study used “updated longevity data in the International Database on Longevity (IDL), established by the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Rostock, Germany.” The study included 1,119 people recorded as supercentenarians from ten European countries along with Japan, U.S. and Canada. They additionally included records of al...
Post a Comment
Read more